Do You Believe Me Now

iTunes Review

Where Jimmy Wayne sang about survival on his first album with lyrically gripping autobiographical accounts of growing up in an abusive family, the title track to Do You Believe Me Now and "I Will" set a different tone for his second studio outing with the kind of triumphant love songs that Keith Urban sings — especially the latter tune, which sounds somewhat inspired by Urban's epic "Stupid Boy." The driving "I'll Be That" further blurs the line between twang and pop with inspirationally amorous lyrics and more barbed hooks than the contents of a tackle box. He stepped it up as a tunesmith as well, co-writing over half the songs here — "One On One" being a standout with its romantic lyrics about needing quality time with a significant other. But his quiver of songwriters is equally impressive, especially the Lori McKenna and Liz Rose penned "True Believer" and the beachy "Brighter Days" which was written by Joe West and Dave Pahanish. "No Good For Me" boasts a duet with Patty Loveless and the gritty "Kerosene Kid" sounds like Bryan Adams gone country rock.